Section 34-1 Definitions

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Alleymeans a thoroughfare through the middle of a block.

Authorized emergency vehicle means vehicles of the fire department, police vehicles, and ambulances and emergency vehicles of municipal departments or public service corporations as are designated or authorized by the chief of police.

Bicyclemeans every device propelled by human power upon which any person may ride, having two tandem wheels either of which is over 20 inches in diameter.

Block means a portion of any street located between any two intersections of any two streets or public alleyways next adjacent to each other.

Commercial vehicle means every vehicle designed, maintained or used primarily for the transportation of property.

Crosswalkmeans that portion of any street or roadway ordinarily included within the prolongation or connection of the lateral lines of sidewalks at intersections. Any portion of a roadway or street distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other markings on the surface of the street or roadway.

Curb loading zone means a space adjacent to a curb reserved for the exclusive use of vehicles during the loading or unloading of passengers or materials.

Drivermeans every person who shall drive or who shall be in actual physical control of the operation of any vehicle.

Freight curb loading zone means a space adjacent to a curb for the exclusive use of vehicles during the loading or unloading of freight or passengers.

Intersectionmeans:

The area embraced within the prolongation or connection of the lateral curblines, or, if none, then the lateral boundary lines of the roadways of the two highways which join one another at or approximately at right angles, or the area within which vehicles traveling upon different highways joining at any other angle may come in conflict.

Where a highway includes two roadways 30 feet or more apart, then every crossing of each roadway of the divided highway by an intersecting highway shall be regarded as a separate intersection. If the intersecting highway also includes two roadways 30 feet or more apart, then every crossing of two roadways of the highways shall be regarded as a separate intersection.

Laned roadway means a roadway which is divided into two or more clearly marked lanes for vehicular traffic.

Motor vehicle means every vehicle which is self-propelled and every vehicle designed to run upon the streets which is pulled by a self-propelled vehicle.

Motorcyclemeans every motor vehicle having a saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground, but excluding a tractor.

Official time standard. Whenever certain hours are named herein they shall mean standard time or daylight saving time as may be in current use in the town.

Official traffic control device means any sign, signal, marking or device, not inconsistent with this chapter, placed or erected by authority of the council by a designated official having jurisdiction through authority given by the council, for the purpose of regulating, warning, prohibiting or guiding traffic upon the public streets and thoroughfares of the town.

Official traffic signal means any device, whether manually, electrically or mechanically operated, whereby traffic is alternately directed to stop and to proceed, or to turn, or to proceed with caution.

Parkmeans the standing of any vehicle, whether occupied or unoccupied, otherwise than temporarily for the purpose of and while actually engaged in loading or unloading passengers or cargo.

Passenger curb loading zonemeans a place adjacent to a curb reserved for the exclusive use of vehicles during the loading or unloading of passengers.

Pedestrianmeans any person afoot.

Police officer means every peace officer of the town, including every employee of the town authorized and empowered to regulate traffic and to make arrests for any violations of the provisions of this chapter.

Private road or driveway means every way or place in private ownership and used for vehicular travel by the owner and those having express or implied permission from the owner, but not by other persons.

Public conveyance means any vehicle other than a taxicab or railroad train for transporting persons for a fare.

Right-of-way means the privilege of the immediate use of the street or roadway.

Roadwaymeans that portion of a street or highway improved, designed, or ordinarily used for vehicular travel, exclusive of the berm or shoulder. If a highway includes two or more separate roadways, the term "roadway" shall refer to any roadways separately but not to roadways collectively.

Safety zone means the area or space officially set apart within any roadway for the exclusive use of pedestrians and which space shall be so protected or marked or indicated by visible and adequate markers or signs as shall be visible at all times while so set apart as a safety zone for pedestrians.

Sidewalkmeans that portion of a street between the curblines, or the lateral lines of a roadway, and the adjacent property lines intended for the use of pedestrians.

Standingmeans any stopping of any vehicle, whether or not the vehicle is occupied during the period of stopping.

Stop, when required, means the complete cessation of movement of any vehicle.

Stop or stopping, when prohibited, means any stopping of any vehicle, except when the stopping means that it shall be necessary to stop the vehicle to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the direction of any police officer of the town or by reason of any traffic control sign or signal or by reason of any emergency.

Street or highway means the entire width between property lines of every way or place of whatever nature, when any part thereof is open to the use of the public as a matter of right for the purposes of vehicular traffic.

Through highway means every street or highway or portion thereof at the entrances to which vehicular traffic from intersecting streets or highways is required by law to stop before entering or crossing the same and when stop signs are erected as provided in this chapter.

Trafficmeans pedestrians, ridden or herded animals, vehicles of all kinds, conveyances, tractors, bicycles, motorcycles and the like, either singly or together, while using any street or alleyway for travel, including the operation of, the loading or unloading of, or the parking of any vehicle upon any of the public streets of the town.

Vehiclemeans every device used in, upon, or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon any street within the corporate limits, and for the purposes of this chapter any bicycle shall be deemed a vehicle.